NORTON CALLS FOR STRONGER REGIONAL DIPLOMACY
By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, on Friday condemned the United States military airstrikes on small boats and semi-submersibles that the Donald Trump administration claims were ferrying cocaine from Venezuela to Colombia.
Speaking during his party’s weekly press conference, Norton said the situation is of grave concern. He emphasized that Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty must be protected amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region.
Norton stressed the importance of coordinated regional diplomacy, stating that Guyana and its Caribbean Community (CARICOM) partners must urgently engage on the matter.
“There are many actors in the world; it is no longer a unipolar world, it is a multipolar world. Therefore, coordination of our foreign policy at the CARICOM level is a very useful tool,” Norton said.
He further noted that while the United States has its own strategic interests, Guyana must pursue its own, through diplomacy and collective regional strength.
“The United States has its interests and will pursue them. We have our interests and must pursue ours. We are cognizant that we are a small nation without the tools at our disposal, and diplomacy is what is needed at this stage,” he added.
The PNCR Leader argued that Guyana’s foreign affairs machinery must be strengthened to respond effectively to evolving international threats and alliances.
“There is need for a Foreign Minister who understands the issues in the world,” Norton asserted.
He went on to say that with a competent and well-coordinated foreign service, Guyana can better navigate international challenges and defend its sovereignty.
“There are areas in which we have strengths and weaknesses, and we know that in Guyana there is the brainpower to engage, ensure our positions are understood, and move forward,” Norton said.
Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have intensified as the U.S. military continues airstrikes on vessels it claims are transporting illegal narcotics for criminal networks.
The Trump administration recently expanded its operations, striking two vessels in the Pacific Ocean near Colombia, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserting that the attacks targeted drug-trafficking routes based on intelligence assessments.
U.S. officials have since confirmed the strikes occurred in international waters.
